Service Dogs Comments

HI, MY NAME IS GREG,  I was 29 years old when my car was hit from the rear at a red light. That was the second of six surgeries on my back which ended up with no feeling from the right knee down. I had been a firefighter for 6 years when I blew my left knee out. I had 7 surgeries on it and needed it replaced. I had 3 surgeries on my left shoulder and can't lift my arm past my chest. Then I had a very bad car accident on I 95 and messed up my right shoulder so now I can't lift anything more than 3 to 5 lbs. In our townhouse, I fell down 23 stairs trying to go up them by myself and ended up in the hospital for 4 months with 7 broken vertebrae. I am confined to a wheelchair and not even able to pick up anything I drop.

I was desperate! I looked for a service dog and found that the four biggest corporations told me that it would take at least 7 to 9 years and they would not train MY dog. I was in a wheelchair, living on disability with a young son and could not pay the large fee even if they could find me a dog. I called a couple of other disabled people with dogs and asked for help. They gave me a web site with national certified trainers that would train MY dog.

There was only one in Florida that was certified to train service dogs. I called them and a life saver named Nick answered. We talked and I told him about my life. He said that a trainer would come to see me and Boomer, my best friend.

When trainer Margaret came in, I offered her a seat but she declined and sat on the floor and told me that was her way of evaluating Boomer and seeing how we lived.

We spent two hours talking about what I needed Boomer to do for me! I was a P.I. for 5 years so I have done everything you could think of! But being stuck in a wheelchair has been the worse!  Before having Elite K9 Academy in my life, I would not even leave my home. But now, with Boomer, I can go anywhere!!!

It only took Margaret two weeks to start me on my new life!!  Elite K9 Academy and Margaret have done an amazing job of training Boomer and me. Boomer does even more than what I asked them to teach him and I will never be able to thank them for what they gave me, but they will always have my love and respect. I could go on and on!!

ALL THE LASKY FAMILY THANK YOU!!!!
Greg Lasky and Boomer
June, 2006

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The dogs continue to do wonderfully.  The people at work, from the administration, my co-workers, to the clients, are all amazed at how well behaved they are.  The people in my building say that they are not aware there are dogs in the building until they see me going through the halls with them because they do not hear them at all; they are not allowed to bark at work (my rule).  I have already had a few wonderful experiences in which the dogs have come to my aide.  . . .  It is amazing the security I feel to have them with me and how their presence just calms me down instead of my getting more anxious.

I am grateful for all you all have done for me and the dogs.  The way the dogs behave and listen to their commands show the amount of time and dedication that went into their training.  They try to challenge me and see if they can get away with things, but it is not allowed.  We are all pleased with them.  My parents are happy that they settle down and can sit still and be quiet.
Amy, Princess and Mustang.
April 6, 2008

Nick's Note: Amy had her two dogs trained to be Service Dogs and to be with her at all times. She needed to control her wheelchair while wheeling with the dogs, so we had to put both dogs on a coupler on the side away from her wheelchair controls.

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It was a perfect experience for all of us! We have already sent folks to you and will continue to do so. We love you both! Thanks to you, we have truly changed our lives for the better.